Due to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, the government of Canada is actively prioritizing permanent resident applications for Afghans in Canada and abroad.
What does this mean for me?
This means that Canada is prioritizing certain types of applications for Afghan nationals, as a special measure under this initiative and will review and process applications as quickly as possible.
What are the requirements for priority processing?
Your application must be one of the following, and meet specific requirements be prioritized.
Sponsoring a family member (family reunification)
Priority will be given to your application if
- you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act
- the family member you’re sponsoring is
- an Afghan national outside Canada and
- one of the following family members:
- your spouse or partner
- your dependent children (including adopted children)
- orphaned relatives under the age of 18
You can apply to sponsor other Afghan family members, but your application won’t be prioritized.
Follow the steps to sponsor
- your spouse, partner or dependent child (including adopted children)
- orphaned relatives under the age of 18
Applying for permanent residence in Canada
Permanent residence as a protected person in Canada
To have your application prioritized, you must meet all the following requirements:
- you’re an Afghan national
- you’re submitting a protected persons application for permanent residence in Canada and
- your application includes dependent Afghan family members overseas
Dependent family members in this situation include
- your spouse or partner
- your dependent children
Permanent residence for dependants of resettled Afghan refugees
To have your application prioritized, the following requirements must be met:
- you’re the spouse, partner or dependent child of an Afghan refugee who has already been resettled in Canada (this person is the principal applicant on the original application to resettle in Canada)
- the principal applicant declared you as a dependant on their resettlement application
- you’re currently outside Canada and
- you’re applying for permanent residence within a year of the principal applicant arriving in Canada
Temporary residence in Canada
New applications for temporary residence will be prioritized as long as they meet the following requirements:
- you’re an Afghan national
- you’re outside Canada
- you’re an eligible family member of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act and
- you’re applying for temporary residence in Canada as a temporary worker, student or visitor
Eligible family members in this situation include:
- spouses and partners
- dependent children (including adopted children)
- orphaned relatives under the age of 18
After you apply under any of the above, visit the IRCC’s priority application processing page. To know more about how to provide additional information on this page, please visit our recent post on special measures for Afghan nationals and family members.
Additional benefits
In addition to prioritizing applications, the government is also waiving fees and a few other requirements on certain types of applications.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and currently in Afghanistan or another country on your way to Canada, the government of Canada will waive fees for:
- 1-year passports
- urgent travel documents
- permanent resident travel documents
- proof of Canadian citizenship
Afghan nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
You must:
- be an Afghan national and
- be an eligible immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and
- be travelling to Canada with a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and
- currently be in Afghanistan or another country on your way to Canada
If you meet the above requirements, the government will waive:
- your temporary resident permit application and biometrics fees and
- the requirement to have a valid passport or travel document
Afghan nationals abroad who are approved for permanent residence in Canada
Your biometrics fees will be waived, and the requirement to have a valid passport or travel document, if
- you’re an Afghan national
- you have a valid confirmation of permanent residence to come to Canada
- you don’t have (and can’t get) a valid passport or travel document
- you’re outside of Canada when we approve your permanent resident visa
Afghan nationals in Canada as temporary workers, students or visitors
Your application fees will be waived if you’re an Afghan national who is
- currently in Canada as a temporary resident (even if your temporary resident status has expired) and
- applying to do any of the following:
- extend your temporary resident status (as a temporary worker, student or visitor)
- renew your work or study permit (if applicable)
- restore your temporary resident status, if you lost it (you also won’t be required to restore your status within 90 days of it expiring)
- get a new temporary resident permit because your current one is expiring
To know more about the special programs and measures put in place by the government of Canada for Afghan nationals and refugees, visit our blog.
To speak with us about pathways that may be best suited for you, reach out to us today.
